Modi slams Cong for its ''anti-democratic means'' against Anna

Ahmedabad, Aug 24: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today (Aug 24) lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government accusing it of using ''anti-democratic'' means to ''wipe out'' Anna Hazare's movement against corruption in the country.

He also expressed concerns over Hazare's health, as the fast by the social activist entered the ninth day.

"Nation is concerned about Anna's health. Congress talks of democracy and parliament, but uses anti-democratic means to wipe out Anna's movement," Modi twitted late last night.

"My request to dear tweeples: let us expose each of the undemocratic means used (by the centre) to curb Anna's movement through tweets," he added.

This is for the first time that the Gujarat Chief minister has commented since Hazare started his fast on August 16.

Modi has been supporting Hazare since the beginning of his agitation for the Jan Lokpal Bill. He has also been criticising the Union government on the Lokpal Bill issue and had accused it of adopting ''double standards'' with regards to Hazare and his team.

He had also said that the Centre expected discipline from Anna Hazare but not from police in Gujarat. This was in response to chargesheeting of an IPS officer in the state.

Modi had further said he would perform the task of ''cleaning-up'' all sectors of public life in his state effectively, so that Hazare does not have to go on fast.